Richard Fenton

As the story goes, Rich gave his first paid speech at the age of eight. “I took plastic dinosaurs and set them up on a table in my basement, then invited everyone in the neighborhood to hear me talk about them. As I recall, I charged five cents per person to get in!” That was over 30 years ago, and Rich has been speaking and training ever since.

With over twenty-five years of successful experience as a salesperson, sales manager, training director, professional speaker and seminar leader, Richard Scott Fenton is uniquely qualified to teach and motivate people to reach increased levels of performance.

Growing up in Chicago, Rich started his employment career in the restaurant industry, moving quickly from busboy to manager in just six months and eventually becoming the company trouble-shooter at only 18 years of age. "I would travel around the country as a 'turn-around expert' of sorts, sometimes having to replace entire management teams for lack of performance. I look back at what I was called on to do at that age and realize what an incredible experience that was."

Rich’s next job was working in the automotive industry. As an account executive in the fleet sales department for the largest Chevrolet dealer in the country, Rich learned to sell and serve from a true master who just happened to also be his father. After five years in the "car-biz" Rich moved to California where he quickly put his sales experience to work, landing a position with Walt Disney Productions in their film distribution division.

Eventually, Rich would make his way into the world of retail, starting as a clothing salesman for Saks Fifth Avenue and working his way up to the position of Director of Training & Development for Macy’s in Beverly Hills, California. Following that, Rich served as Training Director for clothing giant Hart, Shaffner & Marx, and LensCrafters, the world’s largest retailer of eyeglasses.

Realizing his greatest passion was speaking and training, Rich decided to go into business for himself. In late 1997, along with partner Andrea Waltz, he launched Accelerated Performance Training (now FentonWaltz) to design and deliver programs for America’s most prestigious retailers.

Rich is co-author of three books for retailers, "Unlocking the Secrets of Retail Magic," "The Run with the Lions Sales Safari” and most recently, “PLUCK! Providing Courageous Take-Charge Retail Service.” In addition, Rich is the author of a book that works for anyone who faces rejection (salesperson or not) called, "Go For No! The Ultimate Strategy for Failing Your Way to Success!"

A sought-after expert for various trade magazines, Rich also writes for “Getting Results through Others,” FentonWaltz’s complimentary bi-monthly newsletter.

Rich’s greatest compliment and the one that he hears over and over is that he connects with his audience. Rich's presentations are packed with stories, strategies and skill development techniques that he has personally practiced and perfected; he does not “preach” about success. He shares practical and hard-hitting ideas in a fun way that pay-off immediately when implemented.

Andrea Waltz

Andrea Waltz co-founded Accelerated Performance Training (now FentonWaltz) with Richard in 1997.

She started her retail career as a sales associate with Hallmark while finishing school at Long Beach State University in Southern California. In 1993 she accepted a position with the world’s largest retailer of eyeglasses, LensCrafters, where she quickly moved through the ranks, becoming one of the youngest managers in the company’s history. Her stay also included a stint in the training department where she got the bug to teach and develop others.

Andrea also served two years as the Training Director for Centinela Pet Supplies based in Los Angeles. While there she designed and delivered sales, management and product knowledge workshops and learning materials, also creating and hosting a highly successful 2 ½ week Management “University.”

Andrea has co-authored three books for retailers and has been the publisher and editor of a bi-monthly newsletter for frontline managers and trainers in the retail industry since 1998. She is also frequently cited as an expert in retail trade journals, most recently contributing to publications such as Dance Retailer News, In-Store (a jewelry store publication), Specialty Retail Business, and many others.

Andrea assists Richard in the designing and development of their workshops and public seminars and frequently travels with him to deliver programs for their clients.